COCONUT ICE CREAM

MAKES ABOUT 6 CUPS

LACED with the chewiness of toasted, shredded coconut, this ice
cream is wonderful on its own or spread in a cooked pie shell and covered
in meringue, then browned quickly under the broiler for a Baked Alaska
Coconut Pie.

½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup half-and-half
1½ cups unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the coconut on a baking sheet lined with
aluminum foil. Place in the hot oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the coconut
turns a light brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and
pale yellow. Beat in the cornstarch and salt. Set aside.

Combine the half-and-half with the coconut milk in a heavy medium
saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and
slowly beat the hot liquid into the eggs and sugar. Pour the entire mixture
back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or
wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let the
mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from the heat and pour the
hot custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. Allow the custard
to cool slightly, then stir in the toasted coconut, cream, and vanilla. Cover
and refrigerate until cold or overnight.

Stir the chilled custard, then freeze in 1 or 2 batches in your ice cream machine
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, the ice
cream will be soft but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, transfer to a
freezer-safe container and freeze at least 2 hours.

Variations

COCONUT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM Add 4 ounces melted semisweet
chocolate to the warm custard before adding the cream. Proceed with the
recipe as directed.

COCONUT CREAM PIE ICE CREAM Add ½ cup crumbled graham
crackers to the machine when the ice cream is semifrozen. Allow the machine
to mix in the crackers. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

COCONUT DREAM PIE ICE CREAM Add ½ cup drained crushed pineapple
and ½ cup crumbled graham crackers to the machine when the ice
cream is semifrozen. Allow the machine to mix in the additional ingredients.
Proceed with the recipe as directed.

COCONUT SUNSHINE ICE CREAM Add ¼ cup orange liqueur before
freezing. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

TROPIC DELIGHT ICE CREAM Add ¼ cup dark rum before freezing.
Proceed with the recipe as directed.